SSScout

Wonderboy: Welcome to the virtual crackerbarrel... If you ask any ten Scouters their opinion here, you are sure to get eleven good ideas. Always remember the Cub Leader Mantra: KISMIF< KISMIF< KISMIF ... Keep it simple, make it fun!

If you want your "Adult" members ( how are they registered? Committee members? ASMs? Patrol Dads? ) You can make sure: ** they attend IOLS in your District (by design, it is supposed to lead the attender thru the Tenderfoot , Second Class, First Class requirements) (Totn' Chip too). ** Look up in your Council Training section. Take the ones there (Wilderness First Aid? Climbing Wall, if you have one? Dare I say,,,, Wood Badge?) ** If they truly want to help Scouting, URGE them to become active in the District activities. Too many Dads on the Troop campout? District could always use some more Commissioners . My Wood Badge folks told me "Commissioners can do anything" (!!) Plan Camporees, help with OA, plan Merit Badge stuff. Present at the Round Table ("oh, we never go to that, it never is interesting or applies to my needs") Help fix that.... ** Service for your CO? Adults can "provide the role model" for that. My dad took me to ALL his Lions Club activities. Of course, I didn't have Minecraft back then.... ** Help plan MORE "High Adventure " stuff for the Troop. The Scouts need that support (delivery of supplies on the AT, meet and pick up the Canoe Expedition, who has the cousin who owns the Horse Stable? Who knows the manager at the airport? ) An Adult Patrol may seem like a god idea, perhaps , but it should not be an excuse to NOT help the Scouts do Scout things.

""The Work Is Done By Whoever Shows Up."" If your Troop establishes guidelines and hold to them fairly, so be it. Teaches responsibility, discipline, etc. My home Troop holds BoR when requested, "if possible", whenever the Scout(s) ask for it. ComChair or his designee heads, available Scout parents (anyone is considered a "committee member" if they attend) sit in. It tends to be educational for any parent who "dares" to be available during a Troop meeting.... We are not bashful in asking.

I like BSAGCMOM. I wish all GSUSA units had that much faith and dedication. My intro to girl scouts was when my daughter came home from her first GS meeting and said she did not want to join , they were too crafty and artsy and fashiony. When this old Eagle Scout offered to help , they said no thank you. My second time was when son became a Cub Scout and I became a Cub Scout leader. Our Pack decided to have a recruiting event, rented the school gym, and then thought, hey, why not invite the GS to join us? Brownies are Scouts, too.... So I looked up the local GS leader (she happened to be the PTA president) and asked. Her answer was , no "We already have enough Girl Scouts and don't want any more". They don't want any more???? And here we BSA folks are bemoaning the paucity of Boy Scouts and the inherent decline of civilization. Such is the difference in philosophies.

Can we agree that the pummeling of this non-breathing equine is finito ?

Go to Jack London. Read thru "To Build A Fire" and "Call of the WiId" It is called "Klondike" for a reason. * Crossing the ice filled rushing river == *Measure a distance without actually crossing it. **Throw a rope (25 feet) accurately to a target. *** Lash together a "raft" with a given amount of poles/sticks and rope. Timed? Pull it across the "river" on an overhead rope/pulley without getting "wet". Forget the old "Sled" races. At each event, they collect a gold colored rock. (spray paint'em before the event.ake a lot.) * Do the snowshoe race thing: Multiple Scouts on two 2x4s, held up with rope handles. Rewards for even completing the course without falling off much less winning it. ** Crossing the ice filled river on the rocks/board bridges. (cinderblocks and 2x10's of various lengths). Patriotic? Get a regular 4x6 American flag and find a LARGE (car dealer?) flag. I have one that is 12 X 25. Patrol chooses one of them. Patrol Leader speaks for Patrol. Challenge:: Fold it up correctly, by Patrol, IN SILENCE. 10 points for the small one, 20 points for the large one, your choice to try. Points off(1) for SPEAKING (1) if it touches the ground (1) if any red shows when they say "DONE" (5) if not a "Right" triangle (Isosceles doesn't count) Time limit: 5 minutes. Over time & not done? no points.

Once I was asked to serve as the Scoutmaster for the Troop at summer camp, as the "official" SM would not be "in country" that month. I have been ASM for many years, and do "other" Scouty stuff (Commisher, IOLS, etc. ). My "two deep" person would become the Scoutmaster some years later. The SPL for the summer would become SPL for the Troop that fall. I had twelve Scouts of various experience. In our pre- trip meetings, I made it clear I expected uniformed Scouts , at least for flag recovery and dinner. When we arrived and set up camp, we were "informal". I called my SPL over and asked he assemble the Troop in Patrols (two) in uniform for dinner. He arrived with a full mini desert camo BDU (his father is ex Marine). Asked him where was his uniform? He said he thought this was better. I said are you in the Marines now, or are you in Scouts? Turned out he had NOT brought ANY Scout uniform at all. We had to go to the Canteen and assemble a "sort of" scout uniform for him. He was a good SPL during his term, very active in Leading, but he was abashed at my insistence that he dress the part while he was in Scouting. I think his dad spoke to him after camp , too.

Two comments: first, I respect the fellow that questions his faith rather than blindly following or accepting what is presented him. I like William Penn's comment: "" 522. It is a sad Reflection, that many Men hardly have any Religion at all; and most Men have none of their own: For that which is the Religion of their Education, and not of their Judgment, is the Religion of Another, and not Theirs."" = from Some Fruits of Solitude (1682) Let your boy do his searching. He may find God elsewhere, or he may come back to your fold a stronger believer. Second, a story. I attended our Council's University of Scouting . I met a young man with FOUR medals on his pocket. I recognized the Eagle, the Ad Altare Dei (the Catholic award), the Ner Tamid ( the Jewish award) and the God and Country, which I had earned as a Scout. I asked him, "You know I HAVE to ask you, how do you come to have those three religious awards"? He replied that his mother was Jewish, his father was Catholic and his Troop was sponsored by a Methodist Church. He said it was easy to earn each of them. I smiled and shook his hand. I did NOT ask what House of Worship he attended. There is no BSA limitation as to which religious award a Scout may earn. That is between him, his conscience and the faith whose award he seeks. See you on the trail.

"" Yet another right winger complaining that too many stupid leftists vote. "" Yep, the decline in voter apathy is encouraging.... First, some people decided that somebody else (not just the king) should make decisions. Let's start with "White Male Nobility Property Owners Born In Our Country" Naw, that's not enough. Let's include ALL White Male Property Owners, not just Nobility. Ummmm. Maybe we should include White Male Property Owners, and White Female Property Owners Over 40 Years Old. (during WW1 in England) Born In Our Country. Getting better. Howzabout All White Male And Female Property Owners etc.? Okay Now we are somewhere getting. Let's fight a war and then allow People Who Are Not White, but can pass a "literacy" test..... Okay, how about Anyone Who Is A Citizen (requirements?) and not a felon? Good, good. Let's make it, "Any Citizen Over 18 years of age who wants to vote " (must voluntarily register in advance). Now to figure out how to encourage the registering AND voting

""Youth may not drive other scouts."" But they CAN drive adult leaders.... crazy at times...

Once upon a time, in a galaxy far, far away..... Our DE really wanted a local mosque to pick up Scouting. They sponsored a "get to know Scouting" event for all the Muslim families. Folks came from (I am not making this up) 30 miles away. Must have had 100 people there, 25 or 30 kids. They even built a new (permanent!) campfire circle (concrete and brick) in their back yard, one of the mosque leaders was a pro-astronomer, set up a serious telescope for the event. And the DE arranged for Council archery equipment, but when I showed up late in the afternoon, no BSA Range officer. Well, this was not a "BSA " event, it was a "mosque" event. Glad I was not asked to help with the archery.... Ho hum. The mosque Troop lasted three years.

"Chartered by businesses" I know a Cub Pack chartered to a Hardware store (locally owned). They don't do anything but sign the charter every year. Oh,and supply lumber for CSDC. And nails and loan hammers for Cub nail pounding. And maybe recommend folks to the Pack for "other things". As to the restaurant flag ceremony, I second the ideas about , what is their true desire. Who raises the flag ordinarily? Maybe the teenage clerks could learn something. What publicity was sought? If the Scouts did a nice flag ceremony without an audience/tv crew, who would salute? I must assume they were expecting some public visage. If it was to be held in a public park, under the sponsorship of the restaurant, would that make it different? Businesses/restaurants sponsor sport teams all the time ("Joe's Diner Tigers") . 'Course, now, we Scouts don't walk around with "First Baptist Church" emblazoned on the back of our uni shirts. Leastwise, I've not seen that as of yet....

Owasippe. Yes, that happened. But what followed? The Council was rebuilt, the publicity was wonderful, the federal court case was unique, and Owasippe was ultimately saved as a camp ground. The CORs have the effect they can have. Or they can stay home and let things happen. Phone calls, publicity, "follow the money", refuse to back down to bullies (even in Scout uniforms), enforce zoning regs. Sounds like politics as usual.

Our last IOLS did not teach "first aid". We had an open discussion about "emergency physiology".

In several months, Mr. Trump will be asked to assume the role of "Honorary President of the Boy Scouts Of America".

Neckerchiefs.... Let's remember that the necker was ORIGINALLY intended to be an emergency tool, that the Scout wearing it (in uniform!) was wearing it so he could whip it off and use it. It only later became a purely piece of fashion, or "bling". Superfluous to the modern Scout. But considering the attitude of our international brothers, perhaps the first idea is coming around again. Necker as ID for a Scout.... Necker as brotherhood trading item.... Necker as utilitarian item (warm neck, perhaps arm sling, sweat wiper? ) In my yoooth, the Troop designed it’s own neckerchief. 36 inches on the side, bright red with a 4″ custom patch in the corner that proclaimed “Always On The GO!†They were used for first aid practice, hiking, camping, signal flags, “steal the bacon†games… Mine is folded up nice in a plastic bag, except for when I take it out to show the present day Scouts in the Troop. It has holes in it, It is frayed on the edges. The patch is wrinkled, a lot. Starting in December, I promote a small contest that I hold at the February CoH. I give prizes (Baskin -Robbins coupons for free milkshakes! Just ask’em for them!) for the creation of hand made woggles. Sometimes I get really neat creations, sometimes rolls of duct tape. If it looks like I might get a good selection, I ask an “independent†judge to attend (art teacher, pro wood carver) . During the CoH, I am allowed to do a show and tell about neckers and woggles. I read from an old Scout book about the “USES†of the necker: Bandage, dust mask, horse bridle, crowd control (tie a lot together, use the Scout Staff), sail boat emergency rigging…. I compare the BIG Troop necker of my day with the little necker the Troop used til last year ( a bigger, “stock†necker is now given out). . Photos show the red necker did reach down past the Scout’s belt. He grew into it. In my collection, I have neckers and woggles “earned†(OA, Troop, Camporees, Wood Badge, Jamborees, Eagle…) and “collected†(Smokey Bear, Jamborees, Cub Scouts, “Troop One, Wilmington Delawareâ€) . Some Scouts OOO and AAAH at them , some ignore them. If I had attended a Jamboree, I would have been tempted to trade for my necker ( I guess I could have got another one), but the one I have in that plastic bag is important to me. I hope it will be important to my Scoutson.

I am firmly on the side of re-writing the BSHB section on fire tending/building/extinction. Here is my re-write.... The Five Things Needed For A Camp Fire In school , one is taught three things are needed for a fire: Oxygen, fuel, and heat. For a Scout, there are FIVE things needed. How do they compare with the three from your science class? Play the “What If†game. Number one, before anything else: 1) The Means To Extinguish The Fire. Before anything else, how will you put it out? Water, shovel, rake, sand/dirt. Have sufficient means and tools collected. Is it out? Test firebed with the BACK of your hand… Douse, stir and douse again. 2) A Safe Area. Remember that 10’ diameter cleared area. Use an established fire pit. If a “new†fire, remember your Leave No Trace guidelines: Fold back the sod, save the sod to cover the burned on bare soil area. Use an above ground fire holder: old wheelbarrow, oil drum, charcoal grill bed, etc. 3) Safe Atmosphere: Land owners’ permission? Park Ranger’s permission? Is there a Drought? No Fire Ban? Make it as SMALL as necessary, not as BIG as you can! 4) Collect Fuel Before Lighting : Tinder, kindling, fire wood. It is hard to stop cooking to collect more wood if you run low. Set things up carefully before attempting to light. 5) The Means To Ignite The Fire: Be Prepared! Practice in your back yard before you are on the trail. Ceremonial fire? Practice it first before the big night! “No, I thought YOU had the flint and steel!â€. Look to your old 1958 Green Bar Bill Fieldbook....

Snow Owl: What would you expect? Hamburger flipper vs Mr. Kroc or Stephanson? The CEO of an enterprise always is recompensed at a mega ratio with the proles.

Memorable awards: "Best use of LEGOS" "Most Stripes" "Least Likely to be seen on a real road". " Best Antique"

OS448: Yep, doesn't seem to be any PM function. Try this: Go to NCAC website, White Oak District, and find the BSRTcommish....

Then there are TRAILERS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llq3y-FwyBo

Mile swim off the looooong pier? Sea nettles? Calvert Cliff walks? http://www.fossilguy.com/sites/calvert/calv_srk.htm Ya got any???

Amangamet Wipit?

Don't have the spin off function, so a new topic. How much does a Troop Trailer Weigh? Back in the day, we used back packs. The older Scouts that went to Phlmont and Katahdin came back with back pack hiking lore. Us younger Scouts emulated them, packed light and complete. Tarp Tents, 'squiter netting for the sleeping bag, split up the Patrol gear. Jeff takes the big pot, I have the frying pan, Tom has the wash-up soap and some other stuff, Charley has the utensils and food, everyone had their own plate, fork, spoon and knife. We managed and if we were going to a Camporee and could use a dining fly and other "luxuries", a station wagon or van was available from some family. We cooked over fire wood, not gas stoves, of course, never charcoal except at the Camporee or Salamagundi. Trailers? It occurs to me that , in agreement with the corollary to Murphy's Law, that the "Stuff Collected Will Expand To Fill The Space (or trailer) Available". ie, if you have a trailer to pull, you will have the stuff to pull in it.

I have taken to carrying a fork (plastic, usually, picnic type) in my uniform pocket. It is indeed intended as a conversation starter. Depending on who asks, I have three answers. First, you never know when someone might ask me to share a piece of pie or BBQ with them, and , remember, a Scout should "Be Prepared." Secondly, if it's a young Scout, I tell them to go and ask their parent or grandparent about that famous American philosopher, Yogi Berra, who advised us that "when you come to the fork in the road, you should take it! " So I did. If it is a more thoughtful adult, or an appropriate situation, I will tell this story: There was a young pastor who had just been assigned his first parish. He asked the church secretary how he might get to know his congregation better, and she said, "well, as it happens, Mrs. Jenkins just called and wants to talk to you about her 'final arrangements'. She is one of our oldest members and you would do well to meet her. I know she has no living relatives and really views this church as her family". So the young pastor called and made an appointment with Mrs. Jenkins. On the day, he went to her house and after the obligatory cookies and tea, he took out his note book and they talked about her favorite hymns and Bible verses and how she wanted things done. Then she said, "And Pastor, I want you to promise me you will bury me with a fork in my hand." Well, this gave the pastor pause, he smiled and said, "Mrs. Jenkins, you know I have to ask, why do you want a fork in your hand?" She responded: " When you have been in this church as long as I have, you will come to realize how important food is to our community. We have fund raising dinners, potluck lunches, memorial brunches, teas, lots of times to 'break bread' , if not pastries, with each other.. After almost every event, the young people that help clear the tables tell me to 'save my fork', because there will be a cake, something good, something more to enjoy. I know that after this life, there will be ... something more, something good yet to come. I want to have my fork ready . " So too, I'd like to think maybe, just maybe, I can help make things better, for others and for myself. And maybe, just maybe, I will then be ready to enjoy that better life myself. So, What's in your pocket?